Salt Lake City International Airport (SLCIA) officials are anticipating a plateau in passenger numbers for the upcoming fiscal year, despite plans for additional gate openings later this year.
In a budget presentation delivered to the Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday, airport leaders expressed their expectation that overall passenger totals in Fiscal Year 2026 will see minimal growth compared to the current fiscal year.
“Normally, we have really good growth — 3, 4% growth,” stated Brian Butler, the airport’s Chief Financial Officer. “It’s really flat this coming year, and I think that’s what we’re just kind of seeing with what’s going on in the economy.”
Butler explained that the airport formulates its growth projections based on feedback from airlines regarding their passenger expectations for the upcoming year. He noted that uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration has contributed to the anticipated stagnation in passenger numbers.
“It’s a really unique year in that there’s a lot of disruptions, there’s a lot of uncertainty, especially with travel with the current administration,” he remarked. “There’s been talks of our neighbors from Canada not coming and traveling to the United States.”
Amid these challenges, SLCIA is set to welcome a new airline in the coming month, with WestJet planning to introduce a new direct flight route from Salt Lake City to Edmonton, Alberta, operating five days a week. Despite the prevailing concerns, Butler remains optimistic about the launch of the route.
Bill Wyatt, the airport’s executive director, emphasized that the airport closely monitors airlines’ forecasts, indicating that some airlines are currently operating in an “extreme mode.”
“What that really means is you can see there are advanced bookings, and the leisure traveler is really pulled back,” Wyatt explained.
While leisure travel is experiencing a decline, he noted that business and international travel remain robust, although these trends are subject to change.
The airport’s subdued projections come in stark contrast to the planned infrastructure developments, including the opening of 10 new gates in Concourse B later this year in October. An additional 11 gates are expected to be operational by fall 2026, along with several new retail and dining options.
Despite the projected decline in passenger growth, Wyatt shared that construction timelines remain on course. Operating revenues are expected to increase by $88 million in the next fiscal year, with revenue from new terminal rents contributing to nearly half of that total.
A new American Express airport lounge is anticipated to open in October, projected to generate around $5 million in revenue, according to a staff report. Additionally, the airport expects to bolster its reserves with over $185 million in Fiscal Year 2026.
Beyond passenger statistics, council members also addressed the issue of congestion caused by families and friends gathering to welcome missionaries returning from their missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Council Member Eva López Chávez pointed out the underutilization of the greeting space adjacent to the security exit, where individuals often crowd near the exit doors instead.
“I want to understand how we can better utilize the space and inform families and visitors how they can use that and not block the exit,” López Chávez stated.
Wyatt acknowledged the airport’s struggle to encourage visitors to gather in the Senator Jake Garn Greeting Room, explaining that families often rush to greet loved ones after long absences of 18 months to two years.
“We are testing an idea about putting, basically, a missionary door into the greeting room so that they would actually exit into the greeting room,” Wyatt disclosed. “There are all kinds of issues with that, but we’re going to keep poking away at it and see how we do.”
Both López Chávez and Council Member Darin Mano expressed their support for this innovative idea.
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